Biden has made unceasing support for Ukraine during Russia’s invasion

United States President Joe Biden has made unceasing support for Ukraine during Russia’s invasion a hallmark of his one-term presidency, using his office to funnel weapons and aid to Kyiv while wrangling Congress to keep the US purse strings loose.

But one issue has remained a key sticking point: Biden has refused to allow Ukraine to use US-provided, long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) inside Russian territory amid warnings from Moscow that their use would represent the crossing of a red line.

But with just more than two months left in his term – and a second administration of US President Donald Trump looming – Biden’s government has pivoted on the policy, and Ukrainian and US officials told the Reuters news agency and several US media outlets that the weapons had been used in Russia for the first time.

Moscow also said on Tuesday that six ATACMS had been fired at its Bryansk region, in what it said represented a “new phase” in the war.

“It’s rare that a decision of this kind is taken simply for one reason,” he said.

“My own feeling is that the Biden administration’s decision is a mixture of all these things.”

What has the Biden administration said?

The administration has not officially confirmed the policy change, but several officials have been detailing the move to US media.

Speaking to The Washington Post, two unnamed officials said the missiles would initially be used in and around Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops have continued to hold land since launching a surprise incursion in August. It was not immediately clear if the missiles, which have a range of about 300km (190 miles), could be used elsewhere.